King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg has dismissed all misdemeanor marijuana possession cases currently pending in Washington’s largest county.
Taking action following Tuesday’s landmark vote on marijuana legalization, Satterberg said there would be "no point" in continuing to prosecute the 175 people currently facing misdemeanor charges of marijuana possession.
Friday’s announcement followed the passage of Initiative 502, which legalized marijuana possession of one ounce or less in Washington State. The law also called for a legal framework under which marijuana could be grown and sold; both those activities remain illegal outside the medical marijuana industry.
The initiative goes into effect Dec. 6, but Satterberg said he saw no reason to wait to drop the charges.